FNG here
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FNG here
Another new guy here. I am not much of an Olds person.However I am an Old person. Joined so I can ask questions about my project. My new project is a 58 Chevy ½ ton that has a455 Olds motor from a mid 70’s vista cruiser wagon. Or I should say the PO says it is a 455. This is a project that was startedby a friend that he never completed. The motor was never started in the truck.No drive line, no carb, and a lot of other loose ends to tie up. I know nothingabout a 455 other than this one has blue valve covers and the exhaust manifoldon the drivers side has a large W and the right side has a Z. Other than ithaving miss matched exhaust that is about all I know. I have not had time tolook in to it much. Once I do I know I will have a ton of questions. Glad to behere.
Willie
Willie
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,286
Welcome.
The W-Z pair is actually a matched set, somewhat rare, and a good thing to have for a dual exhaust big block. Interestingly, there is an earlier RH "W" manifold, so one could have a "matched" set of W-W manifolds, but it would not be a good idea. These letters on the manifolds are kind of a nonsense mishmash compared to other more progressive casting ID's...
1965-70 big Car BB manifolds- A for LH, then R or T for RH, exc. S for LH with Dual Exhaust. Then 66+ Toronado with D,E,G,H [no F], then on up to X,W,other X, other W, and Z for 66+ [65+?] big block in A-body cars... Skipped C for some reason.
Did you google or search here for engine ID tips?
Fastest method it to find the large letter or number or both on the corner of the head near #1 or #8 spark plug. Yours is probably J. If so, meh, pretty much all the same. If not a J, further investigaton is required.
Oil fill tube may have a number stamed into it. Initial digit is the final digit of the model year of issue- e.g., 3xxxxxx for 1973... 6100123 for 1976, etc.
Certain heads are much better to have than others. J is the most commonly seen, H the rarest...
The W-Z pair is actually a matched set, somewhat rare, and a good thing to have for a dual exhaust big block. Interestingly, there is an earlier RH "W" manifold, so one could have a "matched" set of W-W manifolds, but it would not be a good idea. These letters on the manifolds are kind of a nonsense mishmash compared to other more progressive casting ID's...
1965-70 big Car BB manifolds- A for LH, then R or T for RH, exc. S for LH with Dual Exhaust. Then 66+ Toronado with D,E,G,H [no F], then on up to X,W,other X, other W, and Z for 66+ [65+?] big block in A-body cars... Skipped C for some reason.
Did you google or search here for engine ID tips?
Fastest method it to find the large letter or number or both on the corner of the head near #1 or #8 spark plug. Yours is probably J. If so, meh, pretty much all the same. If not a J, further investigaton is required.
Oil fill tube may have a number stamed into it. Initial digit is the final digit of the model year of issue- e.g., 3xxxxxx for 1973... 6100123 for 1976, etc.
Certain heads are much better to have than others. J is the most commonly seen, H the rarest...
Last edited by Octania; Feb 9, 2013 at 08:23 PM.
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